Australian Football

Born in Tasmania, Bob Murray moved with his family to Victoria while still a child. After playing with success as a forward at Sandringham in the VFA, he moved to St Kilda, but, in his first three seasons with the Saints, he completely failed to fire. Only after being moved to the backlines did he suddenly come into his own, so much so that, during the mid to late 1960s, he was widely regarded as Australia's premier full back.

A key performer in St Kilda's 1966 Grand Final defeat of Collingwood, Murray made his interstate debut for the VFL the following year, achieved All Australian selection in 1969, and remained a regular in the Big V team until 1970. Boasting perfect timing when contesting the ball in the air, he was doggedly brilliant at ground level - in point of fact, the complete defensive package. Winner of St Kilda's best and fairest award in 1969, Bob Murray played 153 VFL games for the club in 1963, from 1965 to 1972 and in 1974. In 2002, he was selected on the interchange bench in the Saints' official 'Team of the Twentieth Century'.

Author - John Devaney